Sparks Elementary School’s Pokey Fair awarded Teacher of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Trust - 3/8/07

Elizabeth “Pokey” Fair is presented a check for $2,500 by Chesapeake Bay Trust Director David O’Neill (left) and BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston for being named Teacher of the Year by the CBT.

Elizabeth “Pokey” Fair would never be so presumptuous to dub herself “Mother Earth.” To her and her fourth and fifth graders at Sparks Elementary School, “Sister Earth” will do just fine.

As that alter-ego, Fair enlightens her students about the environment around them, looking at their world through both scientific and caring eyes. To help stimulate scientific learning, she portrays the “Sister Earth” character to more effectively communicate her message of stewardship and conservation, particularly when it comes to such regional resources as the Chesapeake Bay.

And now Sister Earth has a new reason to command the attention of her pupils. In January, she was named elementary school Teacher of the Year in Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, for her significant contributions to advancing Bay restoration goals and improving student achievement.

Some of Pokey Fair’s students from Sparks Elementary School were on hand to celebrate her being named Teacher of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

“[Ms. Fair and others honored by the Trust] epitomize the best of the best, those who are out there every day working to help save the Chesapeake,” said Delegate Maggie McIntosh, chair of the Maryland House of Delegates’ Environmental Matters Committee. “Without their incredible dedication and determined commitment, much of the restoration and education work that the Trust funds would not be possible.  They are to be commended, emulated, and congratulated.” 

Fair was honored during the Trust’s annual Legislative Reception and Awards Program on January 16. Since the Trust began naming teachers of the year, three of the five honorees have come from Baltimore County, including Fair.

Among Ms. Fair’s fans are Dr. Kim Whitehead, Central Area Assistant Superintendent for BCPS, and her assistant, Michael Thorne.

“[That] speaks volumes about the quality of environmental education and community outreach in this region,” said David O’Neill, executive director of the CBT. “The impact these hard-working teachers are having on education in Maryland is to be commended and emulated.”

Added BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, “As a teacher, Pokey Fair challenges our students to connect their classroom lessons with the real world. I often say that we are educating the next generation to solve all the problems we as adults have not yet solved. Pokey Fair is an outstanding example of how teachers in Baltimore County are preparing students to become better stewards of the environment.”

Elizabeth “Pokey” Fair is congratulated by BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston

At Sparks, Fair has led the school’s Science Academic Team and launched an environmental education program called Eco-Sharks, through which students may participate in a variety of conservation activities and Bay restoration projects.  She also founded an after-school program called the Outdoor Learning Club to further educate students on the importance of environmental protection. In 2006, Fair launched Sparks’ first-ever Environmental Fair and has been featured on several television newscasts for her portrayal of “Sister Earth.” 

As the CBT’s Teacher of the Year, Fair received $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. Each year, the Trust recognizes one volunteer, two educators (one elementary level and one secondary level). and one student who have dedicated extraordinary amounts of time and energy to protecting and preserving the Chesapeake Bay.  Since its inception in 1985, the Trust, a private, non-profit organization, has awarded more than 7,000 grants for a total of $20 million that have focused on funding on-the-ground restoration and hands-on education programs that help raise awareness to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.

Story by Charles Herndon, communications specialist. Photos by Brice Freeman, Director of Communications, and Mary Lu Pool, Sparks Elementary School.

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